The Lake District of central Chile is one of the most beautiful regions in the country. The most popular tourist towns are Pucon and Villarica. The lakes and termas (thermal pools) offer boating, fishing & swimming. The rivers offer amazing white water rafting, kayaking, and "hydrospeed" (see post previous post). You also find zip-lining (called canopy in Chile), horseback riding, trekking, etc.
The Villarica Volcano climb was amazing. This is an active volcano that you can climb (and ski in the winter). Not technical, but definitely difficult. If you are slightly out of shape, you may struggle a bit on this climb, especially if the weather is less than optimal. The guides will tell you you need a "basic level of fitness" for this climb. What they don't tell you is that only about 60% of the recreational climbers make it to the summit, which is at 2847 m, 9340 feet. Our group started out at the base of mountain at around 8 am and we summited around 2 pm. If the ski lift is running you can save yourself a couple of hours by taking it from the base. The lift wasn't running the day I was there. Even though it would have felt like cheating, I would have taken it to better my chances and save myself a few blisters.
Here's a little video of the crater...too windy to hear what anybody is saying
I asked Ricardo (our guide) how it is possible that he has a large gut when he climbs the volcano 2-3 times a week. He said: "Dos cosas...Pan y cerveza"
This is how you get down the glacier
Photos are in reverse order
The Villarica Volcano climb was amazing. This is an active volcano that you can climb (and ski in the winter). Not technical, but definitely difficult. If you are slightly out of shape, you may struggle a bit on this climb, especially if the weather is less than optimal. The guides will tell you you need a "basic level of fitness" for this climb. What they don't tell you is that only about 60% of the recreational climbers make it to the summit, which is at 2847 m, 9340 feet. Our group started out at the base of mountain at around 8 am and we summited around 2 pm. If the ski lift is running you can save yourself a couple of hours by taking it from the base. The lift wasn't running the day I was there. Even though it would have felt like cheating, I would have taken it to better my chances and save myself a few blisters.
Here's a little video of the crater...too windy to hear what anybody is saying
I asked Ricardo (our guide) how it is possible that he has a large gut when he climbs the volcano 2-3 times a week. He said: "Dos cosas...Pan y cerveza"
This is how you get down the glacier
Photos are in reverse order
Looks a bit like the moon up there.
So that's why my heel was hurting for the last 6 hours...
Geared up for the descent.
Villarica Lake from the top of the Volcano
Getting ready for the fun part: sliding down the glacier on your backside. Ice axe is your brake.
Staring into the crater..every few minutes lava flies through the air.
Celebrating our basic level of fitness
Another volcanic peak in the background. This region reminds me of the Pacific Northwest in the U.S.
At the top.
At the bottom of the glacier...time to put on the crampons and bust out the ice axes
Looking out over Lake Villarica. You can see the lava flows from the last eruption
About mid-way to the crater...almost to the glacier
Our fearless guides.
Starting the trek: Me, Jake, my niece Alysa and her friend Kaitlin.
Gearing up for the climb with my friend Jake. The tour company said making it to the top requires a 'basic level of fitness.' I can honestly say that physically it was one of the most difficult things I've ever done. The gigantic blister I developed on my left heel didn't help. Later they told us that less than half of the climbers make to the top (they tell that after you pay).
Villarica Volcano...doesn't look so menacing from hereElevation 9341 feet, Last major eruption was in 1971. It is an active volcano, as you can see from the smoke rising up.
